[September 2018]
Advantages of Establishing Sister City Relationship between Australia/ New Zealand and Japan

Sister city relationships are very beneficial for all parties involved. 2018 marks the 55th anniversary of the first ever sister city relationship between Australia and Japan- the sister city relationship between Lismore in NSW, and Yamatotakada City in Nara Prefecture. This year is also a momentous year for the cities of Christchurch and Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture as they celebrate the 45th anniversary of their sister city relationship, which is the first ever sister city relationship established between New Zealand and Japan. Since the establishment of these relationships, many local governments and individuals involved in sister city relationships between Australia/New Zealand and Japan have gained numerous significant tangible and intangible benefits from the relationships.

I believe it is an excellent opportunity to re-examine the advantages of establishing sister city relationships between Australia/New Zealand and Japan in this commemorative year. You may find the following examples as motives for your city or organisation to further develop existing relationships, or initiate new sister city relationships with Japan!

First of all, the similarities in the democracy, richness of nature, and level of safety in Australia, New Zealand and Japan all contribute to reducing the barrier for people-to-people exchange, as it is easy for people to settle in an environment that is similar to their home country.

Secondly, there is little time difference between Australia/New Zealand and Japan. This can make real-time communication easy by phone, email, and software such as Skype. The little time difference also makes it easy when travelling between these countries.

Thirdly, there have been many win-win situations found in Australia/New Zealand and Japan. For example, there are many Australian and New Zealander students learning Japanese, while there are many Japanese students learning English. Furthermore, as Australia and New Zealand are located in the opposite hemisphere to Japan, the opposite seasons in Australia/New Zealand and Japan can entice people to travel to their sister city’s country to enjoy the opposite season.

Making the most of these advantages, there are many sister cities in Australia, New Zealand and Japan utilising technologies such as Skype to conduct language exchange through real-time communication for their students to learn Japanese or English. Moreover, there are also schools that hold student exchange tours to the country where their sister city is located in for several weeks over the school holidays. Some cities also conduct administrative officer based exchange activities.

We believe that local governments in Australia, New Zealand and Japan all have many development potentials through making the most of sister city relationships. Nothing would make us happier than seeing CLAIR’s support for sister city relationships contributing to the further development of local governments in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

カテゴリー: From the Executive Director

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    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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  •  環境問題への取組を調査するため、7月下旬~8月上旬にかけて滋賀県立彦根工業高等学校の高校生1名および引率者1名がオーストラリアを訪問し、クレアシドニー事務所は、7月29日にはオーストラリアの概要(文化、風習等)についてブリーフィングを実施し、7月31日にはブリスベンの訪問先企業へのアテンド行いました。

    ブリスベンの訪問先においては、カーボンニュートラルの観点から、カギケノリという海藻を用いて畜産動物が排出するメタンガスを減少させる取り組みについての情報を得ることができました。生徒が、将来は自らも環境のための取り組みを実施したいとの思いから、積極的にミーティングに臨んでいる姿が印象的でした。

    当事務所は今回、ブリーフィング及びアテンドのほか、ブリスベンの訪問先企業に対するアポイントメント取得のサポートも行いました。
     クレアシドニー事務所は、今後もオーストラリアでの調査に取り組む日本の自治体の活動を支援していきます。

  • *English only.

    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this Correspondence in PDF.

  • *English only.

    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this Correspondence in PDF.

  • *English only.

    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this correspondence in PDF.

  • *English only.

    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this Correspondence in PDF.

  •  名古屋市とシドニー市の姉妹都市交流は、2025年に45周年を迎えます。11月24日(金)には、豪州多文化主義政策交流プログラム(11月27日から12月2日まで)参加にあわせて渡豪した名古屋市職員がシドニー市役所を訪問しました。
     両市の姉妹動物園(タロンガ動物園と東山動物園)の交流の状況や名古屋市における国際交流についての情報共有に加えて、2023年12月に予定されている松雄副市長のシドニー市訪問の事前打ち合わせが行われ、クレアシドニー事務所はこの訪問をアテンドしました。
     節目の年を2年後に控え、両市の交流がさらに活発になるよう、クレアシドニー事務所は引き続き支援して参ります。